THE CAEP FAMILY. 173 



This I saw him do several times. The object that had 

 been attracting them all was a dead Minnow^ which they 

 seemed to be devouring." 



The young Minnows when first hatched are quite trans- 

 parentj except the eyes, which are large and dark. In 

 this state, the larvae of the May-fly, and other ephemera, 

 are their greatest enemies, and the diminutive fry seem to 

 be perfectly aware that they owe their safety to conceal- 

 ment, when exposed immediately burying themselves again 

 in the gravel. 



Principal Characteristics of the Minnow. — Length of head compared 

 to length of head and body (excluding tail-fin) as 1 to 4; depth 

 of body not quite equal to length of head. Scales very small. Tail- 

 fln rather large and forked; back-fin short at the base, and placed 

 behind the ventrals. Mouth small, toothless. Throat-teeth in two 

 rows (numbering generally 2 and 4) on each side. Colour : top of 

 head and back dusky olive, mottled; sides pale satin-colour; belly 

 white, pink in summer ; back- and taU-fins brown ; the other fins 

 lighter. 



Fin-rays : D. 9 : P. 16 : V. 8 : A. 9 : C. 19. 



